WRIA 62 WMP 032305 - Washington State Department of Ecology

March, 2005 -68- 023-1289-003.3040
Because salmonid recovery planning is a State of Washington planning process, the geographic focus
area is WRIA 62. This overlaps directly with the HB 2514 Watershed Planning efforts area. Focal
species for this effort have been native salmonids, specifically bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout,
and pygmy whitefish. The goal of the Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team is to support native
salmonid recovery in WRIA 62 by improving priority native salmonid habitat through a cooperative
effort between private citizens and local, state, federal, and tribal governments. As the Lead Entity,
the Pend Oreille Conservation District provides the forum and administrative support for the process.
The WRIA 62 Salmonid Recovery Planning Process has developed a plan entitled Strategy for
Protection and Improvement of Native Salmonid Habitat in the Pend Oreille Watershed, Washington
Water Resource Inventory Area 62 (Strategy). This report (Pend Oreille Conservation District, 2004)
is a living document, updated as required for each grant cycle and when new information becomes
available. This report is included within Appendix I. Currently (as of July, 2004) the Strategy
document has been completed for the 5 th round of the 2004 Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant
cycle.
The Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team comprises a Citizens’ Advisory Group (CAG) composed
of local citizen stakeholders and a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) of federal, state, local
governments and tribes that guides the technical components of the work. Members of the TAG and
CAG for WRIA 62 are listed the Strategy document included in Appendix I.
In addition to the Pend Oreille Salmonid Recovery Team, there are a number of other habitat
programs ongoing in WRIA 62, including WDFW, Seattle City Light, Pend Oreille PUD No.1 and
Kalispel Tribe’s Natural Resources Department programs. The Watershed Planning Unit agreed that
there is a need to consider coordination with these groups and programs.
4.3.2 H-2 Background and Rationale
Problem Statement: Invasion of noxious terrestrial weeds has the pote ntial to degrade water
quality and terrestrial, riparian and aquatic habitats by increasing water yield runoff and
preventing the establishment of native vegetation.
With continued growth and development in Pend Oreille County, the Pend Oreille County Weed
Board identified a need to improve public understanding about the potential for noxious weeds to
degrade water quality and terrestrial, riparian and aquatic habitats by increasing water yield runoff
and preventing the establishment of native vegetation. The H-2 action items listed in Section 3.3.2
will be implemented (based upon available funding) primarily by the Pend Oreille County Weed
Board working cooperatively with the Pend Oreille Extension and the Watershed Planning
Implementing Body. Watershed Planning Unit members suggested that public education could be
conducted through a property-tax mail insert.
4.3.3 H-3a Background and Rationale
Problem Statement: River bank erosion along the mainstem of the Pend Oreille River is
resulting in degraded riparian habitat and water quality. The causes of erosion need to be
confirmed and mitigated.
During public outreach activities, river bank erosion along the mainstem of the Pend Oreille River
was identified by members of the public as a concern at both the Newport Centennial and the Pend
Oreille County Fair where surveys were conducted regarding watershed related issues. Flooding and
WRIA 62 WMP 032305